We will proactively contribute toward the circular economy by integrating a circular approach into products and solutions.

2021 Highlights

• Used 8,600 metric tons of recycled plastic in our products.
• Continued our cooperation with Stena Recycling to develop a 90% recyclable prototype vacuum cleaner.
• Launch of a "sustainable trade-in program" in Vietnam that enables consumers to have their old washing machine collected in return for a discount on a new Electrolux model.

Roadmap to 2030

• Where possible, replace virgin materials with recycled materials in our products.
• Increase the proportion of recycled plastic we use to 50% by 2030.
• Reduce the carbon footprint of steel in our production, for example by increasing the amount of scrap-based steel.
• Identify and evaluate relevant circular business models that can be scaled up.

The case for action

Electrolux has an important role to play in enabling people to live more circular lives through its products and solutions. In this way, we can help overcome population and resource challenges while meeting the need for a more circular and low-carbon society.

Population growth and raw materials

As the global middle class is expected to almost double in size by 2030,¹⁾ the demand for material resources will increase together with the demand for goods and services. For Electrolux, this means we can expect the price of materials such as steel, plastic and electronic components to become more volatile.

The need for a circular economy

There is an urgent need to reduce the pressure on raw material resources and the environmental impacts associated with their extraction. One way to do this is to move toward systems that are more circular and ensure the maximum value from resources by recovering and reusing materials at the end of each service life.

According to the 2021 Circularity Gap Report by Circle Economy, only 8.6% of the resources used globally are cycled back into the economy after use. This compares to 9.1% in 2019. The report stresses the need for a circular economy that makes better use of resources to prevent further and accelerated environmental degradation and social inequality.

Consumers are increasingly demanding more circular products and solutions. This includes everything from recycled materials incorporated into our products and more sustainable packaging, to solutions that enable them to extend the lifespan of their products.

Our own research has shown that consumers perceive products containing recycled plastics to be more innovative, premium, high quality and sustainable.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Virgin materials cause considerable greenhouse gas emissions through their extraction and manufacture. For example, the emissions from the production of plastic in our products are approximately equivalent to the emissions from our operations and transport activities combined.

Recycled materials on the other hand can have substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions. This means that increasing the amount of high-quality recycled materials in our products can make an important contribution to combating climate change. Steel is the largest material we use by volume and is an even greater source of CO₂ emissions than plastic. By sourcing scrap-based steel, we can make a significant reduction in our CO₂ footprint from materials.

Emissions can also be reduced by extending the useful lifespan of our products. This can be achieved through promoting more circular business models or providing aftermarket services that ultimately make better use of resources.

Sustainable packaging

We are looking into more sustainable packaging solutions that are cost-effective and fulfill their primary purpose of protecting the product, while reducing environmental impact, promoting circularity and decreasing carbon emissions.

Our approach

This Goal involves working with multiple topics that contribute to our capacity to be able to offer more circular products and business solutions:

• Overall material choices - we will choose more sustainable materials that are based on recycled or renewable raw materials and can more easily be recycled. 
• Recycled material - we will continue to replace virgin steel and plastics with recycled materials in our products.
• Spare parts & service, durability and refurbishment - we will broaden our offering of spare parts and servicing, to enable our products to be more easily repaired and extend their useful lifespan.
• New business models - we will continue to develop innovative business models that promote circularity by making better use of resources.
• Sustainable packaging - we will continue to develop solutions to replace non-recyclable packaging with recycled and renewable alternatives, and which are also recyclable.
• Product take back - we will work to find ways to improve product recycling with a special focus on regions where there is no legally mandated product take back.
• Design for repair & recycling - we will design products that can be more easily repaired and recycled.

Challenges

• Securing consistent, traceable, safe and high-quality recycled raw materials in sufficient volumes.
• Ensuring recycled materials are incorporated into new product platforms.
• Optimizing product lifespan in a way that benefits the consumer, Electrolux and the environment.
• Finding more sustainable packaging solutions that protect products.

Overcoming these challenges requires strategic partnerships with partners throughout the value chain. Partnerships are also sometimes required to create circular business models that create common value for Electrolux and its partners.